When Rupa Goswami renounced his position as a
minister in Nuwab Hussain’s government in Bengal, he
set the standard for distributing wealth in Krishna
consciousness. He gave fifty percent of his income
to qualified devotees who were preaching Krishna
consciousness. He gave 25% to his family for their
maintenance and he kept 25% for himself for personal
needs. Devotees today may argue that they cannot
possibly match the standard of giving set by Rupa
Goswami because in today’s world we have so many
financial obligations that it is hard to find any
“extra” money.
In answer to this
argument, it can be said that the actual amount of
money donated by a devotee isn’t the real issue.
Rather the devotee should see that giving in charity
to the temple (or qualified devotee preachers) is a
spiritual principle. This principle of giving
in charity is every bit as essential for our
advancement in Krishna consciousness as other
principles such as chanting our rounds or following
the four regulative principles.
Bhaktivinode Thakur
states in his Saranagati prayers that as a
householder he offers everything (his wealth, time,
family, etc.) to the Lord. This example of total
surrender cannot be imitated by neophyte devotees,
but the example can be an impetus for us to strive
for in our daily lives. By taking a personal vow to
make regular contributions to the temple we take the
first steps toward total surrender to the Lord.
In his book, The
Miracle of Tithing, Mark Hansen asserts that
there are several spiritual benefits that result
from surrendering ones wealth to God. His
realizations are not different from the teachings of
Krishna conscious devotees. He states that tithing
“cements the belief that you are not the creator of
your circumstances, that you are a fortunate
recipient of God’s gracious universe.” Thus we see
how giving to Krishna’s devotees helps us deepen our
realization that we are not the doers and are always
dependent on the mercy of the Lord.
When you open the
door to your heart, then your understanding of
Krishna consciousness deepens. There is only one
way to open this door to the heart- devotional
service. And giving in terms of money is one way
that the process of devotion begins. Hansen states
that “tithing works [to open the door of the heart]
because it works from inside of you.” He further
states that “giving expands your spirituality,
especially when you give in the spirit of love, joy,
and cheerfulness from an unselfish heart.”
As we [the
congregation of New Goloka Dhama] come to see the
Deities daily or weekly, we all know that there are
needs that must be met. The pavilion needs a new
roof. The perimeter fence is need of replacement
and the temple management has plans to build a much
needed work shop on the property. None of us single
handedly can fund all these projects, but if we work
together in the spirit of Krishna consciousness then
we can as a community meet the temple’s needs. And
we should further know that as we meet the needs of
the devotees who are caring for the Deities and the
temple properties that we are making spiritual
progress as we open our hearts through unselfish
giving. This is the spiritual principle of giving
that we will realize when we make a personal
commitment to help the temple each and every month.
